Entering an adolescent alcohol rehab in Iowa is only the first step for teens who want to battle their substance use disorder and get sober. Maintaining sobriety is also a large part of the process and one that teens often find they need guidance with. Relapse is common, with statistics showing that between 40 and 60 percent of people relapse following treatment.[1] Not becoming part of that statistic involves hard work and dedication. Ember Recovery is committed to helping teens and young adults receive the tools they need to create a sober lifestyle. We have compiled several valuable tips teens can use to maintain sobriety after they complete their treatment program.
How Teens Can Maintain a Sober Lifestyle with The Help of An Adolescent Alcohol Rehab in Iowa
Recognize Triggers
Everyone has certain factors that can trigger relapse. Understanding these factors can help teens avoid them and know what to do if faced with them. These can include specific people, places, and situations that can lead to cravings for a substance.
Other common triggers can include:
- Stress
- Relationship Troubles
- School Issues
Some teens may face one or several of these triggers as they try to remain sober.
Have a Structured Schedule
While some teens may have trouble with structure, having a structured schedule can help them to maintain sobriety. Chaos and disorganization can hinder recovery. Having a schedule that includes time for schoolwork, chores, and social activities can help teens focus and stay on track.
Set Goals
While achieving sobriety is a goal within itself, teens can learn to set other goals while they are trying to avoid relapse. Having something to work for can help teens focus on the task, not things or people who may try to tempt them to use. As teens learn to set goals, they can feel accomplished and proud once they’ve reached them. This can help boost self-confidence and help avoid relapse.
Setting smaller goals at first can allow teens to reach them and work up to larger goals. For example, getting an afterschool job is a small goal, and saving for a car or other large ticket item is the larger goal. They can see how they can work hard to achieve these goals.
Find New Hobbies
Exploring new hobbies and interests is an excellent way for teens and young adults to stay sober. This not only allows them to try new activities they may have wanted but also gives them something useful to do with their time rather than reverting to their old habits.
New hobbies include art classes, learning a new language, or trying a new sport. Teens should think about the areas that interest them most and follow that path to new hobbies.
Build a Supportive Network with An Adolescent Alcohol Rehab in Iowa
The need for support doesn’t end when a treatment program is over. Teens and young adults need continued support to stay on track and remain sober. This can include support groups and meetings as well as continued therapy sessions. Group therapy can help teens who are going through the same things they are. They can gain insight and lean on each other for support.
Having a support network can also prevent feelings of loneliness, which can also trigger substance use. Knowing you have support can give you the strength to stay sober.
Avoid Old Habits and Routines
Staying sober can be much easier if you avoid the old habits and routines that led you down that path. This means avoiding friends and places that were associated with substance use. If any old friends attempt to lure you back in, resisting these temptations is critical to creating a sober life.
Live a Healthy Lifestyle
Living a healthy lifestyle can help to maintain sobriety. When the body and mind are healthy, they are strong and can resist temptation. Here are some ways to practice healthy living:
- Eat a balanced diet
- Get enough sleep
- Exercise Regularly
- Use relaxation techniques
Keeping these things in mind will help create a sober lifestyle and give you the energy needed to stay focused.
Seek Adolescent Alcohol Rehab in Iowa at Ember Recovery
The team at Ember Recovery is committed to helping teens reach sobriety and stay sober. Our treatment programs are focused on teens and young adults and the specific challenges they face when battling a substance use disorder. Our aftercare planning is designed to help teens tackle the critical question of what’s next after treatment. Aftercare encompasses a wide range of programs aimed at helping teens and young adults remain sober. If you are looking for an adolescent alcohol rehab in Iowa, contact Ember Recovery today to learn more about our programs for teens and young adults.
Sources:
[1] https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery
Andrea Dickerson is a Licensed Therapist and Certified Substance Use Counselor who has worked in behavioral health since 1997. Currently, Andrea is the Director of Behavioral Health, overseeing the Ember residential treatment programs and YSS outpatient counseling clinics throughout Central and North Central Iowa. She became a Motivational Interviewing (MI) trainer in 2006 and provides MI trainings throughout Iowa.
Andrea specializes in working with adolescents and their families and enjoys seeing the family relationships grow through therapy. Andrea is also a CARF International Surveyor, going around North America ensuring behavioral health organizations are meeting required standards.
In her free time, Andrea enjoys cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs, as well as being an active member of Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA), a global organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. She has been a member of the SI of Des Moines club since 2012 and has been actively involved at the regional level, currently serving as Co-Governor of the Peaks to Plains Region.
Through her involvement in SIA, Andrea has been actively involved in the Dream Programs, coordinating annual Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls projects, which give girls the tools they need to achieve their education and career goals, empowering them to break cycles of poverty, violence, and abuse.